Questions and Answers about Singing, Vocal Technique and the Voice

The what, why and how of singing

For years, vocal technique was surrounded in mystery - with no way of seeing how the voice worked, singers and singing teachers had to use imagery and guesswork to understand the workings of the vocal mechanism.

With the advent of modern technology, things have moved on rapidly! We now have a much clearer picture of the voice and are able to separate fiction from fact, vague ideas from scientific knowledge. Having said that, you'll still find hundreds of websites and Youtube videos which seem to give contradictory information to each other. With so many opinions and points of view out there, it's hard to know which advice to take.

Evidence-based information

Estill Voice Training™ has the advantage of being based on a thorough scientific foundation, with the principle that knowing how the voice works is a good thing! Below, you'll find the answers to some of the more often-asked questions. Hopefully, this will help you start your journey of discovery into the inner workings of your voice.

What is Belt / Belting? How do I Belt?

Of all the voice qualities, Belt is the one that seems the least understood, and surrounded by the most mystique. Ironically, Belt is possibly the most natural way of using the voice! But confusion comes from the fact that the word 'belt' means different things to different people. In this article 'Belting explained' Andy explains Belt from a number of perspectives - both acoustic and physical - and gives you a much clearer understanding of what Belt really is.

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What are 'Head' voice and 'Chest' voice?

The terms 'head voice' and 'chest voice' date back hundreds of years, to a time when there was very little understanding of how the voice worked. These days, with modern scientific research, we have a much clearer idea of how we make sound, so we know that 'head voice' and 'chest voice' no longer accurately describe what's happening. As a result, these terms are gradually falling out of use by voice professionals, being replaced by a much more precise definition of how the voice works, giving you complete control over your sound.

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What are vocal 'registers'?

Vocal registers are one of the most talked about - and yet still misunderstood - concepts in voice training. The confusion comes from the fact that the term 'register' means different things to different people. An accepted definition is that a register is a series of consecutive tones with similar properties. But what those properties are depends on your point of view - is it how it feels, or how it sounds? Fortunately, there's a way to understand registers that removes all doubt and uncertainty.

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What is the 'mixed' voice?

Singing 'in the mix' is a very in-vogue topic for contemporary and theatre singers. But what exactly does it mean? Is there a 'middle' or 'mix' register in the voice? Actually, 'Mix' isn't a separate register, it's a technique of singing that gives you the ability to make different things sound the same, resulting in a smooth, blended tone from the bottom to the top of your range.

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What is 'twang'?

Adding 'twang' to the voice is a natural way to help your voice project. It involves a narrowing of the space above the larynx to intensify certain resonant frequencies. It's a very safe way to make your voice stronger, without adding any more vocal effort. It is NOT inherently nasal and is produced in the throat NOT the nose.

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How do I sing higher or louder without straining?

Most problems with the higher range are caused by the singer 'getting in the way' of his or her own voice. If the voice is allowed to work naturally, without strain or tension, it will easily reach the higher notes in the range. In this article 'How to sing louder and higher' Andy explains how you extend your range and dynamics safely, without needing to 'push' your voice.

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Can I learn to sing in more than one style?

Clearly, pop singers do not sound like opera singers. They're using their voices differently, setting up the 'mechanism' in a way that sounds authentic for the type of music they're singing. The question is: can the same singer sing both? The answer is yes - if you know how! But too often singing teachers get stuck in one style only. That's how they were trained, and that's all they know how to do. Have you ever wanted to sing theatre songs, but found yourself working on a Victorian ballad for a grade exam?

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How do I deal with audition nerves / performance anxiety?

Does your throat feel like it's about to close up? Do you feel that your voice always lets you down in auditions? Don't worry - it's perfectly natural! And as with most things in nature, where there's a problem, there's also a solution. Understanding why, how and where the voice closes down allows you to recognise the sensation of constriction - and deal with it.

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Questions about the voice - answered!

FAQs

Common questions about the voice and singing technique

FAQs

Common questions about the voice and singing technique

FAQs

Common questions about the voice and singing technique

The what, why and how of singing

Evidence-based information

What is Belt / Belting? How do I Belt?

What are 'Head' voice and 'Chest' voice?

What are vocal 'registers'?

What is the 'mixed' voice?

What is 'twang'?

How do I sing higher or louder without straining?

Can I learn to sing in more than one style?

How do I deal with audition nerves / performance anxiety?

Become the singer you've always wanted to be